The Volkswagen Golf plays many roles and plays them well. It's a practical car. Two people can sit comfortably in the back seats. The hatchback design means you can fold those seats down and cram amazing loads of stuff into the cargo area.
Being in one is pleasant. The Golf is one of the most refined compacts available, exuding precision German engineering, and upscale trim and a high level of standard equipment make it comfortable.
These are also enjoyable cars to drive. All Golfs are agile, built on rigid chassis with carefully tuned suspensions. All are fitted with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and all come standard with side-impact airbags. Some Golfs are frugal. The TDI diesel boasts an EPA-rated 42/49 mpg. Some are affordable, starting at just $15,050. And Volkswagen now offers a four-year/50,000-mile warranty.
Others are quick, downright fast. The GTI is a true driver's car, born of the German autobahn. Both GTI engines benefited from a power boost partway into the 2002 model year. The 1.8-liter turbocharged engine now boasts 180 horsepower, while the VR6 V6 jumps to 200 horsepower. Available in very limited quantities is a high-performance GTI 337 Edition.